A Decade of Dedication Leads to New Wisconsin Funeral Procession Law

Haudenshield Funeral Director Jillian Krueger's 10-Year Effort Helps Bring Purple Lights to Wisconsin Funeral Processions

On December 9, 2025, Governor Tony Evers signed Wisconsin Act 52 into law, allowing funeral directors throughout Wisconsin to use flashing purple lights in funeral processions, helping improve visibility and safety for families and motorists.

Previously, Wisconsin law permitted funeral procession vehicles to display flashing amber lights. Under Wisconsin Act 52, funeral procession vehicles may now be equipped with either flashing amber or flashing purple lights.

With amber warning lights commonly used by municipal, utility, agricultural and other service vehicles, it can be difficult for motorists to distinguish a funeral procession from other vehicles on the roadway. The use of purple lights will help funeral processions become more recognizable, encouraging greater awareness and respect from surrounding motorists.

This legislation also provides an important benefit to funeral directors serving families across state lines. Funeral homes located near the borders of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota frequently travel between states to provide services. With purple lights already permitted in some neighboring states, this change will allow for greater consistency and efficiency when conducting funeral processions.

For Jillian Krueger, a funeral director at Haudenshield Funeral Home & Crematory in Cuba City, Wisconsin, the signing of this legislation marked the culmination of 10 years of dedication, persistence and hard work.

Jill originally developed the idea for this legislation a decade ago, recognizing the need for a more distinctive and recognizable lighting system for funeral processions in Wisconsin. What began as an effort to improve safety and consistency for funeral professionals and the families they serve became a 10-year commitment to seeing this important change become law.

Throughout the years, Jill remained dedicated to moving the legislation forward, advocating for its passage and working toward a solution that would benefit funeral directors and motorists alike.

As part of her efforts, Jill testified before the Wisconsin State Assembly committee on July 22, 2025, and again before the Wisconsin State Senate committee on October 7, 2025. During both hearings, she shared her firsthand experience as a funeral director and explained the importance of allowing purple lights in funeral processions.

On December 9, 2025, Jill attended the official bill signing with Governor Evers on behalf of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association (WFDA), witnessing the successful conclusion of an effort she first set in motion 10 years earlier.

Reflecting on the journey, Jill shared:

"Ten years ago, I saw a need for change and believed there was a better way to help motorists recognize funeral processions. It has been a long journey, but seeing this legislation finally signed into law makes all those years of hard work worthwhile. My goal has always been to improve safety and help families honor their loved ones with the dignity and respect they deserve."

After a decade of determination and perseverance, Jill's original vision has become Wisconsin law.

The passage of Wisconsin Act 52 represents not only an improvement in funeral procession visibility and roadway safety, but also a meaningful accomplishment for a local funeral director whose dedication to her profession and the families she serves helped bring about this change.

For Jill, this legislation is a reminder that meaningful change often takes time, patience and the determination to see an idea through to completion.